Objective:To explore whether the phospholipidoproteinaceous material deposit within the alveoli by a high-ifeld 3T MRI has signal characters and its application for diagnosing pulmonary alveolar proteinosis.Methods:A total of 11 patients with pulmonary alveolar proteinosis previously diagnosed by ifberoptic bronchoscope lung biopsy underwent 64-slice helical CT scans and 3T MRI scans, and the CT scans and the MRI scans were compared.
Results:hTe phospholipidoproteinaceous material deposit within the alveoli presented longer or equal T1 relaxation time and longer T2 relaxation time, without characters of fatty or deposits of protein-like substance signals and enhancement. The distribution, form, number and size of the lesions at T2WI were almost the same as those at CT, the lesions were irregular in morphology, and there was a clear boundary between the lesions and the adjacent normal lung tissues. Dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI showed thickened pulmonary arteriolae and venulae in the lesions with more obviously thickened pulmonary venulae, which were in conformity with the pulmonary artery and venule enhancement. CT scan in 1 out of the 11 cases showed lesions in both lungs mainly consisted of stripe-shaped and reticular structures, and no obvious sign of pulmonary alveolar proteinosis residue was found. MRI scan detected alveolar proteinosis that failed to be shown by CT scan.
Conclusion:3T MRI T2WI can easily detect the lesions of long T2 signals formed by the lipoproteinaceous material deposit within the alveoli. In the lesions, geographic appearance was presented, and the crazy paving pattern was dimly visualized. MRI can relfect the morphological characters of PAP like CT and it is slightly better compared with CT in such aspects as evaluating the theraputic effect of lung lavage. As supplement to CT, high-field 3T MRI can serve as an important examination for lung diseases.

Objective To compare the bronchial blocker and double-lumen tube for one-lung ventilation in patients undergoing esophageal cancer resection.Methods Forty ASA physical status Ⅰ-Ⅲ patients of both sexes,aged 42-63 yr,scheduled for elective esophageal cancer resection,were randomly divided into 2 groups (n =20 each):double-lumen endotracheal tube group (group DLT) and bronchial blocker group (group BB).After induction of anesthesia,the patients were intubated with a left-sided double-lumen endotracheal tube and correct positioning was verified by fiberoptic bronchoscopy in group DLT.After induction of anesthesia,the patients were intubated with a conventional single-lumen endotracheal tube,and then the bronchial blocker was inserted under the guidance of fiberoptic bronchoscope in group BB.The intubation time,one-lung ventilation time,time to achieve lung collapse,operation time,extubation time,tube malposition and hypoxemia were recorded.The lung collapse was scored at the end of operation.Hoarseness and throat sore within 2 days after extubation and pulmonary infections within 7 days after operation were recorded.Results Compared with group DLT,intubation time and time to achieve lung collapse were significantly prolonged,and the incidence of hoarseness and throat sore within 2 days after extubation was decreased in group BB (P ＜ 0.05).There was no significant difference in the one-lung ventilation time,operation time,extubation time,lung collapse score,incidence of tube malposition,hypoxemia and pulmonary infections within 7 days after operation between the two groups (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion The efficacy of bronchial blocker is similar to that of double-lumen tube when used for one-lung ventilation in patients undergoing esophageal cancer resection.

Objective Infliximab is a kind of recombinant human mouse chimeric anti-tumor necrosis factor monoclonal antibody. Here we aimed to examine the impact of infliximab therapy on RANK/RANKL/OPG system in the peripheral blood of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Methods Fifty patients with RA were rigorously screened and randomly divided into 2 groups. One group was treated with infliximab (3 mg/kg)and methotrexate (MTX). As control, the other group was treated with MTX alone. Infliximab was administered at weeks 0, 2, 6 and 14. The expression of RANK, RANKL mRNA in the peripheral blood, serum OPG and clinical indicators changes at week 0 and 18 were compared.x2-test or t-test were used for statistical analysis.Results After treated with infliximab, bone damage of joints were slowed down when examined by radiography in RA patients compared with the control group. And the ratio of OPG/RANKL was also decreased in RA peripheral blood (w0: 80.25;w 18: 63.2); (control group w0: 83.37; w18: 30.87)(P＞0.05). Although after the treatment with either MTX alone [w0: (238±15) pg/ml; w18: (118±10) pg/ml] or infliximab combined with MTX [(w0: (223.1±6.2) pg/ml; w18:(162.4±5.5) pg/ml], the serum levels of OPG were all decreased (P＞0.05), the level of OPG in infliximab treatment group was declined slower than those in the control group. Conclusion RA bone destruction can be inhibited by the combination therapy of infliximab and MTX. The mechanism may be partly through the RANK/RANKL/OPG system.

Objective Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease, which mainly involves joints across the body, resulting in joint stiffness and loss of daily activity. Recent evidence suggests that numerous self-reacting T cells, including Th1 and Th17, infiltrate the synovium in RA patients, accompanied by functionally-compromised Treg. Iguratimod, a new small molecule with anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects, has shown curative effects in animal models of arthritis. In this study, we aimed to test the clinical effects of Iguratimodˊs on RA patients and its role in immunoregulation. Methods We examined the clinical effects of iguratimod on RA patients in a random controlled clinical trials and analyzed its effects on Th1, Th17 and Treg as well as their associated cytokines and transcription factors by flow cytometry and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Then t-test, chi-square test and rank sum test were used to conduct statistical analysis. Results Our results revealed that iguratimod therapy provided significantly greater clinical benefit [ACR20, ACR50, ACR70 reached 50%, 20%, 15% respectively in iguratimod treatment group, Z=-2.216,P=0.027] than placebo group with the reduction of Th1 and Th17 but increment of Treg after iguratimod treatment [Th1: week 0 (26.5 ±8.0)%, week 24 (14.2 ±7.3)%, P<0.01; Th17:week 0 (1.7±0.7)%, week 24 (1.3±0.4)%, P<0.05;Treg:week 0 (6.8±1.6)%, week 24 (8.9±2.9)%, P<0.05], which was statistically significant. Conclusion Our results provide theoretical and clinical based evidence for the impact of iguratimod on immunomodulation of RA.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the diagnostic value and limits of transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB) in pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP). METHODS: The complete hospital data from Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, between June, 2006 and December, 2012, were analyzed retrospectively in 25 patients with PAP (who were diagnosed pathologically by TBLB or not by TBLB) and in 4 patients with other disease (who were misdiagnosed by TBLB). RESULTS: Among the 25 patients with PAP, 14 patients were confirmed by TBLB in the fi rst time [TBLB positive rate in the first time was 56% (14/25)]; 6 patients who were misdiagnosed by TBLB in the fi rst time were confirmed by TBLB in the second time [the positive rate in the second time was 24% (6/25)]. Th e total positive rate was 80% (20/25). Th e total negative rate was 20% (5/25). Five patients with PAP, who showed negative results in TBLB analysis, were confirmed by the typical CT as well as the whole lung lavage. In addition, 4 patients with other diseases were misdiagnosed as PAP by TBLB. CONCLUSION TBLB is a very good diagnosis method. But the negative results in the first time cannot exclude PAP. TBLB should be repeated if conditions allow. If clinical manifestation and CT results are typical, it can be used for diagnosis of PAP combined with the positive results from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid check. However, for non-typical cases, it needs TBLB pathological diagnosis.
Biopsy ; Diagnostic Errors ; Humans ; Lung ; pathology ; Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVE: To explore characteristic CT findings and pathologic basis of ground glass opacity caused by pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP). METHODS: Retrospective analysis of CT and pathological findings of 24 patients with PAP who were pathologically diagnosed from June 2006 to August 2011. RESULTS: Findings with CT: the lesions of the 24 patients mainly presented ground glass opacities. Local consolidations were seen in 8 patients. In 23 patients part of ground glass opacities bordered strip-shaped opacities with smooth edges, and there was a clear boundary between them and the bordering normal lung tissues, presenting a geographic appearance. Lesions in the 5 cases were mixed with alveoli or lobule aerocele, which made ground glass opacities present curved edges. Crazy paving pattern was detected in the 24 patients. Microscopically, the alveoli were seen to be filled with floccules proteinaceous material in various quantities in the 24 patients; hemangiectasis and congestion were seen in 17 patients, and enlarged alveolar cavities were seen in 5 patients. CONCLUSION PAP usually causes ground glass opacities with clear edges, and different from ground glass opacities with obscure edges caused by other pulmonary diseases. They are relatively specific to the imagining diagnosis to PAP.
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVE: To explore CT findings and pathologic basis of crazy paving pattern caused by pulmonary alveolar proteinosis. METHODS: Twenty-four patients who were diagnosed pathologically as pulmonary alveolar proteinosis by transbronchial lung biopsy and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from June 2006 to May 2012 were included in this retrospective study. All patients underwent a 64-slice CT of the lungs. RESULTS: CT findings: crazy paving pattern was observed on CT imaging of all 24 patients. In 23 patients, crazy paving pattern displayed strip-shaped opacities with smooth edges, and there was a clear boundary between the pathological and normal lung tissues. The reticular opacities were connected with peripheral blood vessels and the branches were formed, and their diameters decreased slightly. Microscopically, hemangiectasis were seen in 17 patients. CONCLUSION Crazy paving pattern caused by pulmonary alveolar proteinosis displayed clear edges, and smooth reticular opacities, most of which were due to hemangiectasis of interlobular, interacinar and interalveolar septa. These findings of CT are helpful for the specific diagnosis of pulmonary alveolar proteinosis.
Biopsy ; Humans ; Lung ; pathology ; Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis ; pathology ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Objective:In general, patients with seropositive rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are considered to show an aggressive disease course. However, the relationship between the two subgroups in disease severity is controversial. Our study is aimed to compare the clinical characteristics and prognosis of double-seropositive and seronegative RA in China through a real-world large scale study.Methods:RA patients who met the 1987 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) classification criteria or the 2010 ACR/European Anti-Rheumatism Alliance RA classification criteria, and who attended the 10 hospitals across the country from September 2015 to January 2020, were enrolled. According to the serological status, patients were divided into 4 subgroups [rheumatoid factor (RF)(-) anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) antibody (-), RF(+), RF(+) anti-CCP antibody(+), anti-CCP antibody(+)] and compared the disease characteristics and treatment response. One-way analysis of variance was used for measurement data that conformed to normal distribution, Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for measurement data that did not conform to normal distribution; paired t test was used for comparison before and after treatment within the group if the data was normally distributed else paired rank sum test was used; χ2 test was used for count data. Results:① A total of 2 461 patients were included, including 1 813 RF(+) anti-CCP antibody(+) patients (73.67%), 129 RF(+) patients (5.24%), 245 RF(-) anti-CCP antibody(-) patients (9.96%), 74 anti-CCP antibody(+) patients (11.13%). ② Regardless of the CCP status, RF(+) patients had an early age of onset [RF(-) anti-CCP antibody(-) (51±14) years old, anti-CCP antibody(+) (50±15) years old, RF(+) anti-CCP antibody(+) (48±14) years old, RF(+)(48±13) years old, F=3.003, P=0.029], longer disease duration [RF(-) anti-CCP antibody(-) 50 (20, 126) months, anti-CCP antibody(+) 60(24, 150) months, RF(+) anti-CCP antibody(+) 89(35, 179) months, RF(+) 83(25, 160) months, H=22.001, P<0.01], more joint swelling counts (SJC) [RF(-) anti-CCP antibody(-) 2(0, 6), Anti-CCP antibody(+) 2(0, 5), RF(+) anti-CCP antibody(+) 2(0, 7), RF(+) 2(0, 6), H=8.939, P=0.03] and tender joint counts (TJC) [RF(-) anti-CCP antibody(-) 3(0, 8), anti-CCP antibody(+) 2(0, 6), RF(+) anti-CCP antibody(+) 3(1, 9), RF(+) 2(0, 8), H=11.341, P=0.01] and the morning stiff time was longer [RF(-) anti-CCP antibody(-) 30(0, 60) min, anti-CCP antibody(+) 20(0, 60) min, RF(+) anti-CCP antibody(+) 30(10, 60) min, RF(+) 30(10, 60) min, H=13.32, P<0.01]; ESR [RF(-) anti-CCP antibody(-) 17(9, 38) mm/1 h, anti-CCP antibody(+) 20(10, 35) mm/1 h, RF(+) anti-CCP antibody(+) 26(14, 45) mm/1 h, RF(+) 28(14, 50) mm/1 h, H=37.084, P<0.01] and CRP [RF(-) anti-CCP antibody(-) 2.3 (0.8, 15.9) mm/L, Anti-CCP antibody(+) 2.7(0.7, 12.1) mm/L, RF(+) anti-CCP antibody(+) 5.2(1.3, 17.2) mm/L, RF (+) 5.2(0.9, 16.2) mm/L, H=22.141, P<0.01] of the RF(+)patients were significantly higher than RF(-) patients, and RF(+) patients had higher disease severity(DAS28-ESR) [RF(-) anti-CCP antibody(-) (4.0±1.8), anti-CCP antibody(+) (3.8±1.6), RF(+) anti-CCP antibody(+) (4.3±1.8), RF(+) (4.1±1.7), F=7.269, P<0.01]. ③ The RF(+) anti-CCP antibody(+) patients were divided into 4 subgroups, and it was found that RF-H anti-CCP antibody-L patients had higher disease severity [RF-H anti-CCP antibody-H 4.3(2.9, 5.6), RF-L anti-CCP antibody-L 4.5(3.0, 5.7), RF-H anti-CCP antibody-L 4.9(3.1, 6.2), RF-L anti-CCP antibody-H 2.8(1.8, 3.9), H=20.374, P<0.01]. ④ After 3-month follow up, the clinical characteristics of the four groups were improved, but there was no significant difference in the improvement of the four groups, indicating that the RF and anti-CCP antibody status did not affect the remission within 3 months. Conclusion:Among RA patients, the disease activity of RA patients is closely related to RF and the RF(+) patients have more severe disease than RF(-) patients. Patients with higher RF titer also have more severe disease than that of patients with low RF titer. After 3 months of medication treatment, the antibody status does not affect the disease remission rate.

Objective:To explore the therapeutic characteristics of population with gout achieving treat-to-target (T2T) indicators through real-world research and evaluate their safety.Methods:A total of 3 287 patients diagnosed with gout by rheumatologists in 21 first-class tertiary hospitals in 10 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions in China from January 2015 to December 2021 were included in this polycentric cross-sectional study. The database included patients′ general information, disease characteristics, and clinical application of traditional Chinese and Western medicine treatment measures. SPSS and Excel software were used for data analysis. Frequency analysis, cluster analysis, and factor analysis were used to summarize the characteristics and rules of treatment measures for patients with gout who achieved the target after treatment. The occurrence of adverse events (AE) was recorded during treatment.Results:After treatment, 691 visits (7%) achieved the serum urate (SUA) target, and the most frequent use of urate-lowering therapy (ULT) was febuxostat, followed by benzbromarone. The most common treatment options were following: GroupⅠ: traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) decoction-TCM external treatment-physical exercise-proprietary Chinese medicine; GroupⅡ: ferulic acid-nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs); Group Ⅲ: allopurinol-sodium bicarbonate-benzbromarone; Group Ⅳ: glucocorticoid-colchicine; Group Ⅴ: febuxostat. A total of 5 898 visits (60%) chieved manifestations of joint pain VAS scores target, and the most frequently used drug to control joint symptoms was NSAIDs. The frequency of use of drugs to control joint symptoms were 2 118 times (usage rate reached 35.9%), while the frequency of ULT were 2 504 times (usage rate reached 42.5%), which was higher than the joint symptom control drug. The most common treatment options were following: Group Ⅰ: proprietary Chinese medicine-TCM decoction-TCM external treatment-physical exercise; Group Ⅱ: NSAIDs-colchicine hormones; Group Ⅲ: allopurinol, Group Ⅳ: benzbromarone; Group Ⅴ: febuxostat. A total of 59 adverse events occurred during treatment.Conclusion:The proportions of gout patients who reach target serum urate level & good control of joint symptoms are both very low, and ULT and anti-inflammatory prescription patterns are very different from international guidelines, so it is necessary to strengthen the standardized management of gout patients. At the same time, life intervention measures account for a certain proportion of the treatment plans for the T2T population, and further exploration is needed.